The upgrade to HDMI 2.1 extends the Sync box's compatibility to the latest game consoles for mood lighting in your living room with Philips Hue lamps.

The original Hue Sync box, which connects via HDMI between the player and TV, enabled Ambilight-like ambient mood lighting using Philips Hue bulbs and lamps.

However, it was limited to HDMI 2.0's 4K 60Hz and only later received Dolby Vision and HDR10+ passthrough support with an update. This causes limitations when used with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.


New Hue Sync box with HDMI 2.1
Today, Signify, the company behind Philips Hue, is launching a new generation of the box called the 'Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 8K'. It now features HDMI 2.1 for use with PS5 and Xbox Series X. It also works with all other HDMI players.

HDMI 2.1 support ensures that the Sync box can pass through video signals in 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz to the TV. However, it was not confirmed whether VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto-switch to/from Game mode) are supported.


 The Philips Hue Sync box must sit between the console and TV's HDMI link. Photo: Signify

Up to 10 Hue devices
Up to 10 Philips Hue devices can be linked to the new box, which is slightly larger than the old one. The box reads the colors in the video signal, which are communicated to Philips Hue lamps so they can produce the same colors as ambient lighting.

 Also read: 2022-2023 Samsung TVs gain Philips Hue ambient lighting integration

It is one of several solutions trying to imitate Philips' Ambilight in TVs. Philips is still the only TV brand with built-in ambient mood lighting.

It is available starting today for 350 Euro or 350 USD directly from philips-hue.com/.